Pig management pt. 2

What does maternal recognition of pregnancy prevent and require?

• breaking down the corpus luteum (CL)

• least 2 embryos in each uterine horn to maintain pregnancy

How long are pigs alive for from birth to market

It only takes 180-190 days

Why do farmers induce farrowing

• for close supervision

• improves use of labor and facilities

• cross-fostering if necessary

• groups sows for weaning and rebreeding

How do farmers induce farrowing

• PGF2a injection on day 112 of 114

• Optionally, an oxytocin injection 24 hours after PGF2a to induce farrowing within 6 hours

What percentage of sows farrow within 24-36 hours of PGF2a injection

70-80%

What must be ensured for a piglets survival

• breathing

• dip umbilicus

• ensure nursing and colostrum intake within 4-6 hours

What is the optimal temperature for piglets

85-100F

What are the two ways that crushing happens to piglets

• The sow accidentally lays on the piglet

• If the temp is too low, piglets pile onto each other for warmth

What are the causes of piglets dying from starvation

• runt piglet unable to compete for milk

• sow lactation failure

How do we determine when to wean piglets?

Age. But most piglets are weaned between 2-5 weeks (typically at 3 weeks), and should weigh over 10-12 lbs

When does maternal antibody protection go away

By 3 weeks

What are the steps of segregated early weaning (SEW)

1. piglets are weaned at 21-22 days

2. moved to an isolated, clean nursery, then a finisher building

• no contact with other groups

• temp starts at 85F and gradually drops to 70-75F

What are grouping requirements for grower and finisher housing

• Pigs are grouped by weight (within 20% of the average)

• 20-50 pigs per pen or pasture

What is the temperature requirements for grower and finisher housing

60-70F

What are the water and feed space requirements for grower and finisher pigs

• 1 waterer per 20-25 pigs

• 1 feed space per 4 pigs

What is the grower pig feeding requirements

• 16-18% protein

• Consumes 1.4-4 lbs per day

What is a finisher pig’s feeding requirements

• 12-14% protein

• Consumes 6-10 lbs per day

What percentage of a hog’s live weight is lost during slaughter and dressing

~28% of weight is lost

How do you calculate dressing percentage

(carcass weight/live weight) x 100

How much additional weight is lost from carcass to retail cuts

20% of the weight is lost during the preparation

What percentage of a market hog is actually adible

only about 50%

How many litters per sow per year are expected

• 2.1 (pen mating)

• 2.2 (hand mating)

What is the target percentage of farrowing

Greater than 85%

What is the target number of pigs weaned per female per year

More than 24

What are the target mortality rates in a breeding herd in pig production

less than 4% when confined and less than 6% when outside

What are the target mortality rates in preweaning in pig production

Less than 8%

What are the target mortality rates in the nursery stage in pig production

Less than 2%

What are the target mortality rates in a growing/finishing herd in pig production

Less than 1%

What is the target time to market for pigs

Less than 180 days

What is the average daily weight gain for nursery pigs

more than 1 lb/day

What is the average daily gain for finishing pigs

more than 1.9 lb/day

Should pigs be vaccinated before or after they are likely to encounter an infectious organism

Before

How long does it take for a protective immune response to develop in pigs

10-21 days

What are the key vaccination times for pigs

pre-breeding, pre-farrowing, young pigs, and at weaning

What parasite vaccines should be administered in pigs

dewormer/insecticide

When should dewormer/insecticide be administered into pigs

pre-farrowing, weaning, and grower stages

What does parvovirus cause in pigs

SMEDI: Stillborn, Mummy, early Embryonic Death, Infertility

How does parvovirus spread

ingestion, inhalation, and breeding

How do you treat parvovirus

Only supportive care is available

How is leptospirosis transmitted in pigs

Urine, ingestion, mucous membranes, and breeding

Which organs does leptospirosis bacteria mainly localize

kidneys or uterus

What are the symptoms of leptospirosis in pigs when they localize in the kidney

kidney disease and flu-like symptoms

What are the symptoms of leptospirosis in pigs when the bacteria localzes in the uterus

abortion, stillbirth, and weak piglets

What are the symptoms of E. coli in pigs

diarrhea, leading to dehydration and poor growth

How is erysipelas treated in pigs

antibiotics for acute cases; chronic cases require antibiotics or euthanasia

What are the symptoms of african swine fever

fever, pink/blue skin, abortion, 100% death rate

Are there any vaccine’s for African swine fever

no

How does african swine fever spread

direct contact, fomites, ticks, and infected pork products

How long does pig estrus (heat) last?

44-60 hrs

How long does pig proestrus last

3-4 days

How long does pig diestrus last

14 days

When do pigs get bred

8 months